Rhinopatch FAQ
- What is the Rhinopatch process?
- Where can Rhinopatch be used?
- Can Rhinopatch be used for other applications?
- How long does it take to repair a patch using Rhinopatch?
- What training is provided for the Rhinopatch process?
- What are the benefits of the Rhinopatch process?
- Why is Rhinopatch better than my current patching solution?
- Who else is using the Rhinopatch process and do you have any like for like case studies?
- What are the reasons other clients have chosen to move to the Rhinopatch process?
- What exactly do you mean when you say Rhinopatch is ‘permanent’?
- Is there a sub-contract service available for Rhinopatch?
- Is Rhinopatch a safer option than conventional methods?
- Are the Rhinopatch materials hazardous?
- How long after patching, can the surface be Rropened?
- Does Rhinopatch have a seamless bond with the surface or do we need to overband?
- Is Rhinopatch value for money?
- Is Rhinopatch more expensive than conventional patching methods?
- How much are the Rhinopatch consumables and at what rate are they used?
- How is the Skid Resistance Value (SRV) affected by Rhinopatch?
- Why would I need telemetry with the Rhinopatch process?
- Can Rhinopatch be used in all weathers?
- How does Rhinopatch work on surface dressing?
- Can the process be used if the first time repair contained cut-back materials?
- How do I assess if a site is suitable for Rhinopatch?
- Will you be able to advise us on what materials we should use for our various road surfaces?
- Is there any government legislation that we should be aware of regarding the Rhinopatch process?
- What approvals do you have for the Rhinopatch process?
- What are the comparative co2 emissions from the Rhinopatch process?
- What other environmental benefits can the Rhinopatch process deliver?
- What procurement options do you offer?
- Can I see a Rhinopatch demonstration?
- Who should I contact to find out more or arrange a meeting?
Process and Product Understanding
- What is the Rhinopatch process?
- There are 7 easy steps to the Rhinopatch process:
- A Rhinopatch infra-red heater is placed over the pothole or section of road to be repaired and left to heat the road surface to a pre defined and computerised heat setting. This softens the road surface and usually takes between 8-10 minutes.
- The heated and now pliable road surface is then worked over with spades by the operatives, leaving a 10cm ‘picture-frame’ around the inside of the heated section of road (this action enables a joint-free repair).
- Rhinobinder is applied, by way of an even spray, and thoroughly mixed in to preserve the existing heated road material.
- Hot material from an asphalt plant, or proprietary cold replacement material available from Elite Civils, is added, as required, to the treated area to make up any lost volume from the original surface defect.
- The recycled repair is then levelled and compacted using conventional equipment with emphasis on the edges of the reinstatement in order to eliminate surface joints.
- Once properly compacted, Rhinophalt preservative is applied to the entire heated area in order to provide the proven longevity of the Rhinopatch process.
- Finally, Black Rhinogrit is cast onto the uncured Rhinophalt material in order to provide the necessary skid and slip resistant properties to the completed repair. The entire process, which holds full HAPAS approval, takes around 15 minutes to complete and delivers a sustainable, permanent and recycled reinstatement.
Elite Civils offer tailored training packages to ensure correct working practices, and can also provide demonstrations of the straightforward process in practice.
Back to top - Where can Rhinopatch be used?
- Rhinopatch can be used on any modern asphalt, macadam or surface dressed infrastructure.
Rhinopatch is not recommended for anti-skid surfaces or materials containing coal tar due to the possibility of noxious fumes.
Application sites for Rhinopatch include roads, highways, footpaths, car parks, airfields, retail parks, platforms, playgrounds and other pedestrian areas.
Typical surface defects include potholes, ravelling, open joints, utility trenches, ironwork surrounds, chip loss, fire damage and all other surface defects.
Back to top - Can Rhinopatch Be Used for Other Applications?
- Rhinopatch is incredibly versatile. The process has already been used for many different applications and we would welcome the opportunity of addressing any specific challenges that you may have. Some of the more interesting applications for Rhinopatch include the repair of train platforms; the reduction in height of speed humps; the removal of white lines and the repair of mastic asphalt on multi-storey car parks.
Back to top - How Long Does It Take to Repair a Patch Using Rhinopatch?
- Obviously, there are many factors to be taken into consideration here including things like the size of the patch, location and access. As an indication, the RP36 will provide around 3m2 of permanent reinstatement in approximately 15 minutes for isolated repairs and can achieve up to 20m2 per hour on closely located and continuous reinstatements.
Back to top - What Training Is Provided for the Rhinopatch Process?
- Elite Civils provides full HAPAS approved process training for the Rhinopatch process where, upon completion, the trained operatives become HAPAS approved installers. Additionally, Elite Civils retain a number of Regional Supervisors whose main role is to support and audit Rhinopatch users 24 hours a day and who also offer top-up training sessions.
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Benefits
- What are the benefits of the Rhinopatch process?
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- A true, permanent, joint-free, ‘right first time’ pothole repair
- Unparalleled cost effectiveness
- Sustainable ‘green’ alternative to conventional methods
- Meets the new Traffic Management Act requirements
- Uses 90% less new asphalt/macadam by recycling all existing materials
- Proven 85% reduction in Co2 emissions compared to conventional methods
- Eliminates HAV’s injuries
- Minimizes disruption to road users
- Provides the safest repair for motorcycles and pedestrians by eliminating dangerous overbanding
- Why is Rhinopatch better than my current patching solution?
- In basic terms, when judged on a like for like basis with conventional road repair processes, Rhinopatch is quicker, safer, longer lasting, less disruptive, cheaper and 80% less damaging to the environment.
Back to top - Who else is using the Rhinopatch process and do you have any like for like case studies?
- Rhinopatch has a large number of clients in the UK, and around the world. We are happy to offer information pertaining to a client’s solution that would be in line with your requirements. Feel free to get in touch so we can discuss this further.
Back to top - What are the reasons other clients have chosen to move to the Rhinopatch process?
- As expected, there is a wide variety of reasons why maintenance entities have opted for the Rhinopatch process including health & safety, environmental, disruption, performance and cost. In truth, and in most cases, any balanced assessment will identify Rhinopatch as being a truly sustainable alternative to the problems associated with conventional road repair methodology.
Back to top - What exactly do you mean when you say Rhinopatch is ‘permanent’?
- Elite Civils can demonstrate that a properly undertaken Rhinopatch repair will last longer than the surrounding pavement surface into which it was installed. Rhinopatch longevity is subject to sub-surface structural issues, or unforeseen situations outside of normal practice.
Back to top - is there a sub-contract service available for Rhinopatch?
- As a Technology provider, as opposed to a contractor, Elite Civils does not provide a sub-contract service. However, Elite Civils partner with a number of Rhinopatch Authorised Users who would be more than happy to provide rates for HAPAS approved infra-red works on this basis.
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Health & safety
- Is Rhinopatch a safer option than conventional methods?
- Absolutely, given that, with operatives, Rhinopatch eliminates HAV’s injuries and minimises the risks associated with manual handling and excessive noise injuries. Additionally, the longevity of the Rhinopatch reinstatement, and the elimination of slippery over-banding materials used in conventional repairs, makes asphalt surfaces much safer for the road users and pedestrians.
Back to top - Are the Rhinopatch materials hazardous?
- Not when used sensibly and in accordance with the process method statement. Comprehensive site testing has been undertaken by independent HSE organisations who have confirmed the safety of Elite Civils’s HAPAS approved infra-red process.
Back to top - How long after patching, can the surface be reopened?
- Obviously, this will depend upon ambient temperatures and site location. In general terms, Rhinopatch will act in a very similar nature to conventional repairs to this regard.
Back to top - Does Rhinopatch have a seamless bond with the surface or do we need to overband?
- The unique benefits of the Rhinopatch process include the permanent elimination of surface joints and the elimination of potentially dangerous over-banding materials.
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Cost
- Is Rhinopatch value for money?
- Elite Civils firmly believe that any proper cost assessment of Rhinopatch against conventional processes will highlight considerable financial benefits with the adoption of their unique infra-red process. Some Rhinopatch users have reported up to 50% savings against their historic conventional costs and, when the additional environmental, disruption and safety benefits are taken into consideration, the Rhinopatch option becomes fairly compelling.
Back to top - Is Rhinopatch more expensive than conventional patching methods?
- In very simple terms, when judged on a like-for-like basis and when all relevant costs are taken into consideration, Rhinopatch is demonstrably cheaper than conventional methodology.
Back to top - How much are the Rhinopatch consumables and at what rate are they used?
- The cost of the Rhinopatch re-cycling materials are largely dependent upon the amount of work being undertaken and the specific procurement option which has been tailored to suit the relevant Authority. In general terms, the cost of Elite Civils’s re-cycling materials is significantly less than the cost of replacement asphalt material used in conventional road repair methods.
Please feel free to get in touch with Elite Civils to talk further about these costs.
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Technical
- How is the Skid Resistance Value (SRV) affected by Rhinopatch?
- There is an immediate, but temporary increase of SRV on completion of the Rhinopatch process.As the grit wears over the road surface the SRV of the infra-red reinstatement will return to the surrounding road value.The time period for this depends upon the volume of traffic passing over the repair.The Rhinopatch, as it delivers a joint-free reinstatement, does not require over-banding and, consequently, is much safer for motorcyclists and pedestrians by negating the dangerous slippy edging experienced with conventional patching.
Back to top - Why would i need telemetry with the Rhinopatch process?
- There are a number of options through opting for Elite Civils’s heater telemetry including the ability to monitor and effectively control patching crews from a central position and the ability to obtain daily printouts of the positioning and timing of completed repairs. This function can be extremely useful and beneficial to address the growing problem of bogus compensation claims. Additionally, this advanced telemetry allows Elite Civils’s technical department to remotely monitor heater performance and to be pro-active with respect to servicing requirements.
Back to top - Can Rhinopatch be used in all weathers?
- Other than in conditions below freezing and where running water is present on the road surface, Rhinopatch can be used in virtually all weather conditions subject to the relevant RISK assessment.
Back to top - How does Rhinopatch work on surface dressing?
- Due to the ability of Elite Civils’s infra-red equipment to accurately control surface temperature, the Rhinopatch process performs very well on this type of surface.
Back to top - Can the process be used if the first time repair contained cut-back materials?
- Yes – the heat used in the process drives off any volatiles left in the temporary ‘cut-back’ repair and the remaining aggregate is simply recycled into the finished Rhinopatch repair.
Back to top - How do i assess if a site is suitable for Rhinopatch?
- Rhinopatch can be used on the vast majority of intended sites, with the exception of anti-skid surfaces and very old materials containing coal tar. Accordingly, site assessment would have little difference to that of conventional road patching. Elite Civils’s operations department are freely available to provide further assistance to this regard if required.
Back to top - Will you be able to advise us on what materials we should use for our various road surfaces?
- Certainly, we can offer different solutions for different road surfaces and can address this in depth once we have a better understanding of your requirements. We also teach correct material usage during our comprehensive training sessions at the beginning of each hire or purchase.
Back to top - Is there any government legislation that we should be aware of regarding the Rhinopatch Process?
- The Rhinopatch process holds full HAPAS approval, and is the only road repair process in the UK which has attained this premier Government accreditation. All general legislation is covered under this approval and any other legislation can be independently addressed.
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Environmental
- What approvals do you have for the Rhinopatch process?
- The Rhinopatch process has held full Highways Agency and BBA approval (HAPAS) since 2005.
Back to top - What are the comparative co2 emissions from the Rhinopatch process?
- Rhinopatch reduces Co2 emissions by around 75% when compared to conventional methods.
Back to top - What other environmental benefits can the Rhinopatch process deliver?
- Environmental benefits that Rhinopatch delivers include the elimination of waste, the minimisation of the use of new materials and huge reductions in disruption.
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Procurement
- What procurement options do you offer?
- Elite Civils offer three procurement options and can discuss further tailoring to these on a case by case basis, feel free to get in touch to discuss the options.Short term hire: Simply hire the specialist heating equipment for the period you need and purchase recycling and preservation materials as you need them. Conditions apply.
Pay as You Patch: For longer hire periods, pay a special rate for the M2 recycling and preservation material required and Elite Civils will provide the specialist heating equipment free of charge. Conditions apply.
Capital purchase: Delivering by far the ‘best value’ to long term customers Rhinopatch users, the most cost effective option is to purchase the specialist heating equipment with an optional maintenance contract. Rhinopatch users also receive materials at a discounted rate. Service and maintenance contracts are available upon request.
Back to top - Can I see a Rhinopatch demonstration?
- Certainly, we are fully equipped to offer demonstrations at your premises, and can even arrange a ‘field-trip’ to watch the process being implemented in ‘real-life’ by an existing customer.Feel free to get in touch and we can set up a live demonstration for you and your team.
Back to top - Who should I contact to find out more or arrange a meeting?
- Simply call us on +44 (0) 1246 433 633 or email for more information.
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